Summary of O que o cristianismo pode oferecer à sociedade no século 21? | Timothy Keller

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

The speaker in the video discusses how Christianity can offer a valuable contribution to society in the 21st century. He argues that Christians need to be true to their ideals and critique them on the basis of those ideals, rather than repeating them based on someone else's critique. This will lead to a more fair and honest society, which the speaker believes is long overdue.

• 00:00:00 Christianity has been a major force in Western society for centuries, and it still has a role to play in today's society. Professor of history at a major American university gives his students a thought experiment in which a lonely street person sees a old lady with a big purse full of jewels. He asks them why they wouldn't take the opportunity to rob her, and most students say that they don't do it because it would be wrong, hurt the old lady, or be illegal. Christianity has been a major force in Western society for centuries, and it still has a role to play in today's society. Professor of history at a major American university gives his students a thought experiment in which a lonely street person sees a old lady with a big purse full of jewels. He asks them why they wouldn't take the opportunity to rob her, and most students say that they don't do it because it would be wrong, hurt the old lady, or be illegal.
• 00:05:00 The video discusses how Christianity has influenced Western civilization, culminating in the concept of human rights. The professor argues that the idea of human rights did not originate from the Enlightenment, but from the Middle Ages and specifically from the writings of Gregory of Nyssa. He also points out that the idea of human rights is unique to the West and that we must not forget this as a nation.
• 00:10:00 In his book Sources of the Self, Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor discusses the contradiction inherent in modern culture - that on the one hand we have high ideals ofequality and justice, but on the other hand our culture tells us that all moral value is socially constructed. This problem, he argues, is exacerbated by the fact that we don't have any moral sources to support our ideals.
• 00:15:00 Charles Taylor discusses how modern Western society and its high ideals can be a challenge for non-Western people who do not share those ideals. He cites the example of a gunman who went to an Amish schoolhouse in 2006 and killed five girls, three of whom were his own children. The Amish community showed forgiveness and support for the shooter's family. Taylor argues that this type of forgiveness is increasingly rare in American society, which is characterized by a consumeristic and individualistic mindset.
• 00:20:00 British sociologist Larry Hurtado argues that in order to be of social benefit to society, Christians need to be different from the general population. He suggests that British society can help Christians do this by valuing their difference, respecting their faith, and offering them opportunities to be involved in community.
• 00:25:00 The speaker discusses how Christianity can offer a valuable contribution to society in the 21st century, by being true to one's ideals and critiquing them on the basis of those ideals, rather than repeating them based on someone else's critique. This will lead to a more fair and honest society, which the speaker believes is long overdue.